"The cash return on the swap will surely frustrate Pirates fans, but that negligible return also speaks to the manner in which the leaguewide perception of Contreras has changed over the past 13 to 14 months."
Once you DFA a guy, his trade value drops to near zero. The object of the game is to identify guys who don't have much probability of success, package them together, and trade them before you put them on the 40-man, call them up, use all their options, and DFA them. Kind of like the Yankees do to the Pirates all the time.
Kinda hope it's for Cole Fontennelle, not sure of the spelling, he's a guy out of last year's draft taken by them sometime after the 5th round. One of the guys I was clamoring for during the run of college arms. He's an interesting switch hitter who plays 3rd and 1st. Going to look up how he's doing in the minors.
What's everybody thinking after a week of Nicky Gonzo?
Seems to be no less flummoxed by breaking stuff. Where's Jobu when you need him.
BUT, he does seem to really be hunting fastballs with fervor. Maybe a slim window to sucess?
Interesting to me at least, these new bat tracking metrics are really blowing up the ole eye test. Would a kid like this be anywhere near as highly graded coming out of the draft if we knew that actually, his swing is slightly slower and longer than Jack Suwinski? Real eye opener for me on that.
Nick's swing on fastballs has been great, a couple hard line drives, a few deep drives with the homerun. If he can keep from chasing to often maybe this approach will work for him.
I'd still like to see him sitting back focusing on a gap to gap approach with a focus on the right center gap. I always found it easier to put breaking pitches to the opposite field with authority. His bat still seems fast enough to pull mistakes (hanging breaking pitches and middle in fastballs).
I'd also like Suwinski to open his stance just a bit and close in on his swing, maybe to help him keep some of his harder hit foul balls fair (he's done it before). Also would like Suwinski to choke up on the bat through his whole at bat.
The last part of the last sentence is what I’m wondering about. That’s the type of proprietary information, that if it existed prior, would be a major competitive edge. I’m always wondering how certain teams manage to stay a step ahead. Same as you I’m sure.
The eye test since last year was that his swing is broken, upper body arm swing, notice how he bends his torso almost to 90° as ball is in hitting zone. He needs to revamp to a traditional rotational power swing.....that's near impossible to convert at this point.
I had hopes that Priester would develop. I'd still think he has a chance to be mid rotation but A) needs to avoid the big inning B) seems like his curveball is more pretty vs effective. I wonder about his pitch mix honestly. Feels like his 'stuff' should be better results.
Pretty sure he'll be back up as soon as possible -- just a move to bring in a fresh arm since QP wouldn't be available for close to a week (in the six-man rotation). He can be recalled in 10 days, or sooner if someone goes on the IL (wink wink).
They need to preserve depth for at least another month. They have already DFAed 2 guys, traded Brubaker, and had Lauer opt out. Priester has options... so optioned he gets. Can't DFA everyone. He has been OK this time up, but he could be better. Hopefully he uses this as an opportunity to work on his approach vs. lefties and his command.
Glad to see former Pirate Ryan Vilade get a shot at Detroit in CF. More interesting was his recognition to Jeff Branson for giving him some advice at the plate. Branson was the Assistant hitting coach of the Pirates in 2013, then the hitting coach for the Pirates from 2014-2018. During those 6 years, the Pirates had some strong hitters, made the playoffs 3 years, and played +60 in Wins vs Losses over that 6 year period. Yep, he was terminated at the end of the 2018 season.
Priester is not going to wow people with an excellent K/BB ratio - he's a pitch-to-contact guy, and the 4.33 ERA is good for this type of young pitcher. He gives up a lot of hits (31 in the 27 innings), but the stat that really jumps out are the 7 HR included in those 31 hits. Pitch-to-contact guys rely on the defense, but he's got to be able to keep the ball in the ballpark.
Good to see Jase Bowen with 2 hits and Jack Brannigan with a HR to help GBO put up a W.
The Marauders ran into a really good pitcher from Tampa. Luis Serna,19, put up 6 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K, and a GO-FO of 6-1. He did fairly well in the FCL last year.
All a part of the learning process on a team where everyone is trying to reverse the course of the first 45 days. Maybe just trying too hard to make something positive happen.
They only got cash back for Ro. I'm sure Bob likes it but this should be a cause for termination.
"The cash return on the swap will surely frustrate Pirates fans, but that negligible return also speaks to the manner in which the leaguewide perception of Contreras has changed over the past 13 to 14 months."
You can't get blood from a turnip.
It also tells you the leaguewide perception of dealing with Bob.
Your right, but GMBC seems like a pretty easy push over in negotiations lol.
Once you DFA a guy, his trade value drops to near zero. The object of the game is to identify guys who don't have much probability of success, package them together, and trade them before you put them on the 40-man, call them up, use all their options, and DFA them. Kind of like the Yankees do to the Pirates all the time.
Ro's going to the Angeles, don't know what is coming back yet.
Moniak.
Kinda hope it's for Cole Fontennelle, not sure of the spelling, he's a guy out of last year's draft taken by them sometime after the 5th round. One of the guys I was clamoring for during the run of college arms. He's an interesting switch hitter who plays 3rd and 1st. Going to look up how he's doing in the minors.
I wish, but my bet is always on a middle infielder.
Watch it be Cole Tucker!
Matoma with 2 more scoreless innings and 3 K's in the 7th. Blanco hit a game tying homerun in the bottom of the 7th as well. (FCL Pirates)
Davis with a good day so far, homerun, double and of course a hit by pitch.
What's everybody thinking after a week of Nicky Gonzo?
Seems to be no less flummoxed by breaking stuff. Where's Jobu when you need him.
BUT, he does seem to really be hunting fastballs with fervor. Maybe a slim window to sucess?
Interesting to me at least, these new bat tracking metrics are really blowing up the ole eye test. Would a kid like this be anywhere near as highly graded coming out of the draft if we knew that actually, his swing is slightly slower and longer than Jack Suwinski? Real eye opener for me on that.
Nick's swing on fastballs has been great, a couple hard line drives, a few deep drives with the homerun. If he can keep from chasing to often maybe this approach will work for him.
I'd still like to see him sitting back focusing on a gap to gap approach with a focus on the right center gap. I always found it easier to put breaking pitches to the opposite field with authority. His bat still seems fast enough to pull mistakes (hanging breaking pitches and middle in fastballs).
I'd also like Suwinski to open his stance just a bit and close in on his swing, maybe to help him keep some of his harder hit foul balls fair (he's done it before). Also would like Suwinski to choke up on the bat through his whole at bat.
Good insight. Your keyboard to Haines' ears.
Regarding the bat tracking stuff, makes me wonder how widely that was available and/or which teams were making the best use of it?
MLB just got the multiple high speed cameras into all 30 stadiums this year, so it's brand new data (unless a club took it upon themselves earlier).
if i were in charge there would be only 29 stadiums with that installed
they ruined it!
nerds ruined baseball
The last part of the last sentence is what I’m wondering about. That’s the type of proprietary information, that if it existed prior, would be a major competitive edge. I’m always wondering how certain teams manage to stay a step ahead. Same as you I’m sure.
He's probably a better solution than running Triolo out there.
-xwoba 23rd percentile
-ave exit velo 24th percentile
-bat speed 36th percentile
-barrel% 8th percentile
He's a good defender and can draw a walk. Everything else is unplayable.
The path to Triolo becoming a useful offensive player appears to be steep indeed.
The eye test since last year was that his swing is broken, upper body arm swing, notice how he bends his torso almost to 90° as ball is in hitting zone. He needs to revamp to a traditional rotational power swing.....that's near impossible to convert at this point.
Good take, it's also causing more head movement, especially on low and away pitches.
My dumbass thought we had the next DJ LeMahieu. There's just not enough juice in the bat.
High BABIP and weak exit velocity is a poor combination.
This move will get the offense going...
/s
Lauer opts out.
I had hopes that Priester would develop. I'd still think he has a chance to be mid rotation but A) needs to avoid the big inning B) seems like his curveball is more pretty vs effective. I wonder about his pitch mix honestly. Feels like his 'stuff' should be better results.
Pretty sure he'll be back up as soon as possible -- just a move to bring in a fresh arm since QP wouldn't be available for close to a week (in the six-man rotation). He can be recalled in 10 days, or sooner if someone goes on the IL (wink wink).
They need to preserve depth for at least another month. They have already DFAed 2 guys, traded Brubaker, and had Lauer opt out. Priester has options... so optioned he gets. Can't DFA everyone. He has been OK this time up, but he could be better. Hopefully he uses this as an opportunity to work on his approach vs. lefties and his command.
Glad to see former Pirate Ryan Vilade get a shot at Detroit in CF. More interesting was his recognition to Jeff Branson for giving him some advice at the plate. Branson was the Assistant hitting coach of the Pirates in 2013, then the hitting coach for the Pirates from 2014-2018. During those 6 years, the Pirates had some strong hitters, made the playoffs 3 years, and played +60 in Wins vs Losses over that 6 year period. Yep, he was terminated at the end of the 2018 season.
Priester is not going to wow people with an excellent K/BB ratio - he's a pitch-to-contact guy, and the 4.33 ERA is good for this type of young pitcher. He gives up a lot of hits (31 in the 27 innings), but the stat that really jumps out are the 7 HR included in those 31 hits. Pitch-to-contact guys rely on the defense, but he's got to be able to keep the ball in the ballpark.
Good to see Jase Bowen with 2 hits and Jack Brannigan with a HR to help GBO put up a W.
The Marauders ran into a really good pitcher from Tampa. Luis Serna,19, put up 6 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K, and a GO-FO of 6-1. He did fairly well in the FCL last year.
Good to see Bowen with a couple hits, he needs to work on his baserunning though. Got picked off once and caught stealing the other.
All a part of the learning process on a team where everyone is trying to reverse the course of the first 45 days. Maybe just trying too hard to make something positive happen.